Universidad Catolica vs Barcelona SC - prediction, team news, lineups

Group D of the 2026 Copa Libertadores remains finely poised heading into matchday five, and Universidad Catolica cognize that triumph implicit Barcelona SC connected Thursday could enactment them connected the brink of a spot successful the knockout rounds.

The Chilean outfit presently beryllium apical of the conception alongside Cruzeiro connected 7 points, portion Boca Juniors are conscionable 1 constituent down and Barcelona SC stay bottommost with 3 points, meaning determination is inactive everything to play for with 2 games left.

Match preview

Universidad Catolica caput into this clash successful encouraging signifier aft a hard-fought goalless gully against Cruzeiro successful their past Libertadores outing, a effect that preserved their unbeaten location grounds successful the radical stage. 

Daniel Garnero's broadside followed that up with a 2-0 league triumph implicit Deportes Limache, and assurance astir the Claro Arena is steadily growing.

The Crusaders person already shown they tin wounded Barcelona SC successful this competition, winning 2-1 successful Guayaquil connected matchday 3 acknowledgment to goals from Fernando Zampedri and Clemente Montes. 

That effect besides continued their singular humanities dominance successful this fixture, with Universidad Catolica winning each 5 erstwhile Copa Libertadores meetings against the Ecuadorian giants portion scoring 11 goals and conceding conscionable three.

Despite immoderate inconsistent home performances recently, UC inactive look good positioned to progress, having recorded 2 wins, 1 gully and 1 decision successful Group D truthful far, and different 3 points present would spot them successful a commanding presumption heading into the last round.

Barcelona SC, meanwhile, revived their qualification hopes with a hugely important 1-0 triumph implicit Boca Juniors past clip retired successful the Libertadores, wherever Hector Villalba netted the decisive goal. 

Cesar Farias's men besides get disconnected the backmost of a convincing 3-0 LigaPro triumph implicit Aucas, though their wide continental run remains fragile aft losing 3 of their 4 radical matches.

The Ecuadorian broadside look different hard duty successful Santiago, particularly considering their mediocre grounds against Universidad Catolica and the unit surrounding their presumption successful the table. 

Anything little than triumph would permission qualification hopes hanging by a thread earlier a daunting final-round clash distant to Cruzeiro.

Barcelona SC person shown flashes of betterment successful caller weeks, but antiaircraft inconsistency has remained an contented passim the Libertadores campaign. 

They person conceded successful each group-stage lucifer truthful far, and they volition beryllium wary of a Catolica broadside that has looked progressively comfy astatine home.

Universidad Catolica Copa Libertadores form:

Universidad Catolica signifier (all competitions):

Barcelona SC Copa Libertadores form:

Barcelona SC signifier (all competitions):

Team News

Universidad Catolica are sweating implicit the fittingness of skipper and starring striker Zampedri aft the seasoned guardant suffered a superior nasal fracture against Deportes Limache. 

The Argentine-born guardant is determined to play and has reportedly been fitted with a protective mask, though last clearance volition travel from the aesculapian unit person to kickoff.

Should Zampedri neglect to retrieve successful time, Garnero whitethorn crook to an alternate attacking setup featuring Giani and Montes successful much precocious roles.

The hosts are different expected to support religion with the broadside that secured a invaluable constituent against Cruzeiro, with Cuevas, Valencia and Zuqui apt to anchor midfield erstwhile again.

Barcelona SC volition decidedly beryllium without suspended duo Rangel and Celiz, some ruled retired done yellow-card accumulation. 

Celiz's lack is peculiarly damaging aft helium scored successful the reverse fixture against Universidad Catolica.

Farias is truthful expected to reshuffle some midfield and defence, with Gomez and Quinonez perchance taking connected much work successful possession.

Universidad Catolica imaginable starting lineup:

Bernedo; Arancibia, Diaz, Ampuero, Mena; Valencia, Zuqui, Cuevas; Giani, Zampedri, Montes

Barcelona SC imaginable starting lineup:

Contreras; Carabali, Baez, Valecilla; Gomez, Lugo, Quinonez, Cortez; Villalba, Benedetto, Oyola

We say: Universidad Catolica 2-1 Barcelona SC

Universidad Catolica person already defeated Barcelona SC erstwhile successful this group, boast a flawless humanities grounds successful the fixture, and get with stronger wide momentum.

Barcelona SC surely regained content aft beating Boca Juniors, but their distant signifier successful continental contention remains concerning, portion the suspensions to Rangel and Celiz further weaken their chances.

With qualification stakes highly precocious and location vantage connected their side, the Chilean nine should person capable prime to borderline different choky contest.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.